Moving to Canada from the UK: A complete guide

If you’re thinking of moving abroad, Canada is an excellent choice. The world’s second-largest country boasts beautiful scenery and breathtaking natural wonders, along with diverse and vibrant cities.

In this guide, we’ll tell you what you need to know about moving to Canada from the UK. This includes visas and residency, money and bank accounts, jobs, places to live and much more. We’ll even look at options for UK retirees.

We’ll also point out a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders from Wise. Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Canada for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

Learn more about the Wise account 🌍

Want to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers to and from Canada. Simply email our expert team or request a call back below.

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Table of contents

Can you move to Canada from the UK? Moving to Canada from the UK How to get a Canada visa? How to move to Canada from the UK? What’s the cheapest way to get to Canada from the UK? How to transport your things Living in Canada - what you need to know Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Canada? Opening a Canadian bank account Finding a job in Canada Renting or buying property in Canada Healthcare system in Canada: How it works for UK expats Emigrating to Canada with a family Schools and education Having a baby in Canada Bringing your pets Retiring in Canada: What are your options? Retirement visas Transferring your pensions Checklist for moving to Canada from the UK Save on your relocation costs to Canada with Wise

Can you move to Canada from the UK?

Yes, you can move to Canada from the UK. Family reunification and employment are the most popular routes to relocate permanently.¹

If you have a partner or a parent who is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, they could help you move based on family sponsorship. They could also be registered as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.¹

Moving to Canada from the UK

Canada is a popular choice among Brits, thanks to an overlap in cultures and English being one of the country’s official languages. It’s often considered as one of the best places to move to from the UK.

Luckily, the process of moving to Canada from the UK is the same post-Brexit as it was before.

There are various options available, including the popular Express Entry route, where eligible candidates are ranked according to a points-based system.

There are three programmes under this route:

• Federal Skilled Worker Programme
• Federal Skilled Trades Programme
• Canadian Experience Class¹

You’ll need to meet tough criteria for skills, experience and education, as well as language proficiency, criminal records and proof of funds. It all sounds very time-consuming, but Express Entry applications tend to be processed within 6 months.¹

How to get a Canada visa?

There are many immigration programmes in Canada, but people most commonly move for work, particularly through the Express Entry programme. For example, the Federal Skilled Worker route requires experience in certain occupations, secondary education and ideally a job offer.¹

If you’d like to move to Canada for education, you should pursue a study permit. You need an acceptance letter from a Canadian educational institution, proof of sufficient funds and a certificate confirming you don’t have a criminal record.¹

Other immigration options include the Canadian start-up visa, the Self-employed Persons Programme and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot. For example, the Start-up visa requires having a qualifying business and enough money to settle in Canada.¹

How to move to Canada from the UK?

The best way for you to move to Canada depends on your circumstances. If you plan to work in Canada, the Express Entry system is a popular and efficient route for skilled workers.

For those interested in immigrating through investments, consider options like the Start-up visa or the Investor Programme. There are even province-specific programmes, such as the Quebec Entrepreneur Programme and the Quebec Immigration Investor Programme (QIIP).¹

What’s the cheapest way to get to Canada from the UK?

The best way to get to Canada from the UK is by plane. The cheapest month for flying at the moment is October, when you can find tickets for as little as £250.²

Ticket prices can be much higher than this, especially if you’re not flexible on dates. If you’re flying in August, a one-way ticket from London to Toronto can cost close to £800.³

Wise can help you save money on travel costs, especially when you’re paying in a foreign currency. With the mid-market exchange rate and small, transparent fees*, you’ll be able to make the most out of your money.

The Wise card can be used for everything from everyday shopping to buying flight tickets for Canada.

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How to transport your things

The easiest way to transport your belongings to Canada is with the help of a professional moving company, especially since they stay up to date with import regulations.

Sea and air freight are the two available options, but air freight is much faster. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly version, you could opt for shared containers and only pay for the space your things take up.⁴

Here are some companies you could consult:

• 1st Move International
• PSS Removals
• Britannia Movers
• Pickfords

Wise can be very useful when paying for a moving company. It allows you to send, receive and spend in both British pounds and Canadian dollars. With transparent, low fees* and transactions at the mid-market exchange rate, you get the best value for your money.

Living in Canada - what you need to know

Let’s have a look at some quick facts about Canada:

💰 Currency:	Canadian dollar (CAD)
🗣️ Main language:	English, French
👥 Population:	40,157,5315
🇬🇧 Number of British expats:	over 530,0006
🧭 Popular expat destinations	Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ontario

Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Canada?

One of the most important things to know before moving to a new country is how far your money will go.

Prices in Canada are broadly comparable to the UK, except for groceries and restaurants, which are 10-15% more expensive.⁷

To illustrate, here are some average prices:

• A three-course meal for two people is around £54 in Canada, while it’s £65 in the UK
• A monthly public transport pass is approx. £57 in Canada, compared to £70 in the UK
• Rent for a one-bedroom city centre apartment is around £1,004, compared to £1,038 in London
• Utilities for a typical apartment are around £115 per month, compared to £239 in London⁷

📚 Pros and Cons: Canada vs UK

Opening a Canadian bank account

Newcomers and non-citizens should be able to open a bank account in Canada. You don’t necessarily need a job or regular income, but you will need to meet the identity requirements and open your account in person.⁸

Most banks in Canada require two types of identification documents for account opening, one with your address and the other with your date of birth. The documents should be from the following list:

• ID issued by the province or national Government
• Your passport
• Recent notices of tax assessments
• Recent statements of benefits
• Recent utility bills
• Recent bank account or credit card statements⁸

In some cases, you’ll need someone else to confirm your identity, usually a customer who’s in good standing with the community or the bank of your choice.⁸

You also might be able to keep your UK bank account after moving, but this depends on your bank. For example, Barclays will generally close both your current and savings accounts once you move abroad.⁹

As an alternative to a bank account, check out the Wise account. You can use it to send, receive and spend in multiple currencies, including British pounds and Canadian dollars. Opening the account is pretty straightforward and you can open it before you even leave the UK.

Finding a job in Canada

Before you can find a job in Canada, you’ll need to apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN).¹⁰ It’s a good idea to do this almost as soon as you arrive. Once you have your SIN, it’s time to start job-hunting.

Canada is a great place to find a job, since the unemployment rate there is fairly low. Out of all the G20 countries, Canada is at number 6 when it comes to the number of unemployed individuals.¹¹

The Canadian Government website has lots of tips to help you find a suitable role, but here are a few places to start your search:

• Job Bank
• Government of Canada federal jobs website
• Indeed for Canada
• Canada Jobs

You can also access newcomer services in your local province, including advice and resources to help you find a job. Checking out the current in demand jobs in Canada might be of great use as well.

Renting or buying property in Canada

The most popular destinations for newcomers to Canada are big cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, followed by Quebec province and Ottawa.

There are plenty of other affordable options, like New Brunswick or Newfoundland. For comparison, rent costs in Vancouver are around 56% higher than in St. John’s.¹²

To find a place to rent, consider taking a look at the listings on websites like rentals.ca, Rent Canada or a site or rentals agent specialising in the local area you’re looking at. You’ll sign a lease and likely pay a security deposit, but it can’t be higher than one month’s rent.¹³

However, buying property in Canada is a bit more complicated for non-nationals due to new legislation.

If you're an expat or a non-Canadian citizen, you won’t be able to buy Canadian residential property until January 1, 2027. This is due to the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act.¹⁴

There are some exceptions to this, such as property location, so be sure to check if you are eligible. Exemptions currently include those with refugee status, those with temporary work permits, and international students, though they must all also meet certain criteria.¹⁴

📚 Buying property in Canada

Given the high costs involved in renting or buying abroad, it makes sense to find a provider with low fees* and transparent pricing.

Wise may save you money, especially on currency conversion fees on larger amounts. Our dedicated team of experts can help assist you with every step of your transfer. Simply email us or request a call back below.

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Healthcare system in Canada: How it works for UK expats

Citizens and permanent residents in Canada have access to the country’s excellent universal healthcare system through public health insurance. If eligible, you’ll need to register for a health insurance card and show it every time you access healthcare services.

Note that each province and territory has their own health plan and the coverage of services can vary.¹⁵

But if you’re a newcomer and don't yet have permanent resident status, you’ll need to take out private health insurance in your province or region. Getting your card can take up to three months, so private coverage is very important during this period. However, you can still access emergency medical services for free.¹⁵

Emigrating to Canada with a family

Here’s what you should know when moving to Canada from the UK with a family:

Schools and education

Education in Canada is mandatory and free between the ages of 5 and 18. If you’re a temporary resident, you’ll need to provide some additional documents to the school board, so your child could access free public school education.¹⁶

Having a baby in Canada

Giving birth can be expensive if you’re not insured, with costs varying by hospital. For example, the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa charges around 400 CAD per hospital appointment, while delivery costs around 4,600 CAD.¹⁷

These costs can be avoided if you have adequate health insurance, whether through a private provider or Canada’s public Medicare system.

Bringing your pets

Your pet will need proof of rabies vaccination or a health certificate to enter Canada. A microchip isn’t required, but it’s highly recommended.¹⁸

Some provinces and cities ban certain dog breeds from entry. For example, the American Staffordshire Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier are prohibited from entering the province of Ontario.¹⁸

Retiring in Canada: What are your options?

Let’s take a look at your best visa options for retiring in Canada.

Retirement visas

Many of Canada’s visa programmes focus on people who are most likely to contribute to the country’s economy, which unfortunately doesn’t include retirees. However, there are certain options for those that would like to enjoy their golden years in Canada.

You can apply for permanent residency through:

• Family sponsorship
• The Super Visa
• A work-related programme

A Super Visa allows UK citizens with children or grandchildren in Canada to visit them for up to 5 years at a time.¹⁹ If you’re not yet retired and have the right skills, you could also apply for one of Canada’s work-related visa or permit programmes and settle in the country through that route.

📚 Retiring in Canada

Transferring your pensions

If you retire in Canada, you can also claim your UK state pension there. You can ask for it to be paid into a UK bank account or a Canada one, in which case you’ll be paid in Canadian dollars. You can choose how often you’ll get paid - anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks. Contact the International Pension Centre to get the most recent information.²⁰

📚 Transfer UK pension to Canada

Checklist for moving to Canada from the UK

Let’s cover some of the most important steps of moving to Canada from the UK:

• Research visa options, gather your documents and apply
• Find somewhere to live
• Find a job
• Get quotes for shipping your belongings
• Start researching Canadian banks
• Get your private healthcare insurance cover sorted
• Tell HMRC that you’re leaving the UK
• Book your flight

Save on your relocation costs to Canada with Wise

Moving abroad will always involve lots of costs and fees, and many of these payments will need to cross borders.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Canada for low, transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.

You can also use Wise once you arrive in your new home. You can spend in Canadian dollars from the moment you step off the plane using your Wise card.

It works in more than 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee*.

Remember, if you’re moving to Canada or anywhere else in the world, Wise can help with sending or receiving large amounts, our dedicated team of experts are ready to help with every step of your transfer. Simply email us or request a call back below.

Ask for a call back 📱

Sources used:

1. IAS Services - moving to Canada from the UK
2. Skyscanner - UK to Canada flights
3. Skyscanner - London to Toronto flights
4. Pickfords - shipping to Canada
5. Worldometers - Canada population
6. Global Citizen Solutions - British expats in Canada
7. Numbeo - cost of living in Canada vs. the UK
8. Canada.ca - opening a bank account in Canada
9. Barclays - living outside the UK
10. Canada.ca - getting a SIN
11. Trading Economics - G20 unemployment rate
12. Numbeo - cost of living in Vancouver vs. St. John’s
13. Canada.ca - renting
14. CMHC - non-Canadians buying real estate
15. Canada.ca - healthcare in Canada
16. Canada Visa - education in Canada
17. Queensway Carleton Hospital - childbirth fees
18. Pet Travel - pet import requirements
19. Canada.ca - Super Visa Canada
20. Gov.uk - State Pension if you retire abroad

Sources last checked on date: 30-Jul-2025

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